Monday, April 15, 2013

The
duty of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is to protect
the United States from national disasters and threats and the goal of
the DHS is to keep America safe. The DHS is the national protection
agency that secures the borders of the country and that prevents
terrorists from attacking the country. This department was created in
the year 2003 after the INS
was dissolved in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001. The
US Department
of Homeland Security safeguards the constitutional rights of the
Americans and protects the economy of the country. DHS is the
executive department of the federal government and its main
responsibility is to protect the country. It prevents terrorist
attacks, enhances border security, administers immigration laws,
secures cyberspace and minimizes the damage from natural disasters
and potential terrorist attacks.

DHS
oversees few different government agencies and the department was
created through the integration of 22 different federal departments
and currently the DHS oversees the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), US Coast Guard, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center,
US Secret Service (USSS) and the Office of Inspector General. The
main goals of the DHS are to prevent terrorist attacks and to prevent
them from using nuclear and chemical materials on American soil.

Likewise,
the department allots funds to modernize ports of entry and it helps
to enhance
national preparedness in state and local law enforcement. It is also
updating the border security technology as the goal of the department
is to secure the land, air and sea ports of entry. It also
investigates and prevents criminal organizations from getting into
the country. DHS has doubled Border Patrol agents and it has deployed
National Guard troops in order to help the law enforcement agencies.
Moreover, the department is joining forces with Mexico to secure the
border.

DHS
implements immigration
laws and the USCIS, a federal agency managed by the DHS, oversees all
immigration processes. Likewise, the responsibility of the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is to identify and remove
undocumented immigrants. It is also working hard to combat human
trafficking and is conducting programs to assist the victims. The
National Cyber Security Division of the DHS counters cyber threats
and implements cyber-risk programs. People can obtain information
about cyber crimes from the National Cyberspace
Response System and this system also assesses cyber threats through
its US-Cert Operations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency of
the Homeland
Security, makes recommendations to the government and provides
disaster assistance to affected communities. However, DHS that is
keeping the country safe, is
looking forward to become a smarter agency and protect the country
more effectively.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Green
Card is an identity document issued by the government of the
United States to the permanent residents of the country. Green Card
holders can enjoy various rights and they also have few
responsibilities. With this Green Card, you can stay anywhere in
America, as long as you wish and this permanent resident status will
never expire. But this does not apply to Green Cards and the Green
Cards will expire and these cards are good only for a decade and the
Green Card holders will have to apply for Green Card renewal prior to
the expiration of their cards.

Hence,
it is mandatory to understand the renewal process. An expired Green
Card will create problems and it might also endanger your permanent
resident status. You may not be able to accept employment in the
country if you do not have a valid document to prove that you are a
permanent resident and you may not be able to obtain benefits that
are meant for permanent residents. US employers may not hire you, if
your permanent resident Card is invalid. To avoid such difficulties,
you need to immediately file an application for Green Card renewal,
if you find that your Green Card is about to expire or if it has
already expired.

The
USCIS
forms that must be filed to get your Green Card renewed, is Form
I-90. All the fields of this form must be completed and the
required supporting documents along with the form must be mailed to
the right service center. The form filing process may not be
difficult as you can file Form I-90 electronically and you can just
follow the customized form instructions and complete the form.
Moreover, you will immediately receive a confirmation notice after
you e-file your Green
Card renewal application. Copies of supporting documents such as
your driver's license, both the sides of your Green Card, passport
and other relevant documents must be mailed to the location specified
in the confirmation notice that you receive after filing your
petition, online. You may pay the form filing fee through a check or
a money order, if you file the paper form and through your debit or
credit if you e-file your Green Card renewal application.

Currently,
the form filing fee is $450 and this includes the biometrics fee. And
remember that you will be sent a biometrics appointment notice after
you file your petition and without fail you will have to make it to
the location, specified in the appointment notice. USCIS
might require applicants who have filed applications for Green Card
renewal to appear for in person interviews and this may not be
applicable to all the applicants. USCIS will issue a new Green Card
that is valid for a ten year period, after conducting background
checks or after the interview, if you are still eligible for lawful
status in the United States.

European Union Immigration: European Union Immigration support and services. Visas, permanent residency and citizenship services for all EU member countries. Download Immigration Forms. Locate European embassies and consulates. Schengen Visa applications.